Monte Cassino Cross

[andrzejku98]

Hello Sammy1999,

May I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, if you can post photographs or scans of the MCC obverse and reverse it would be nice to see the cross, but in the meantime the following information is what I have been able to find about the recipient of the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 12655: when awarded the recipients details were as follows:

Rank: Strzelec (Rifleman)

Surname: Seniszyn

Christian Name: Józef

Date of Birth: 1919

Army Number : (also found on His ID tags): 1919-35-III

Unit: 4BSK (4th Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division)

By the end of the war he had been promoted to Starszy Strzelec (Lance Corporal) and had been awarded the Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour 1939-1945). Józef would have also received the Army Medal and the British 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star 1939-1945 Defence Medal.

After the end of the war he came with his Battalion to the UK and after transferring to the Polish Resettlement Corps, he entered British Life , there are records of him leaving the UK for Canada but he did return back to the UK. In 1962 he applied for and was granted British Citizenship, the following is from the London Gazette Dated 28th August 1962 Issue Number: 42769, Page: 6839

Seniszyn Józef, Shearer's Assistant (Boiler Making Firm), 27 Bradgate Road, Rotherham, Yorkshire, 5th July 1962.

Józef Seniszyn lived a further 27 years until he died in 1989 in Rotherham.

I hope that the above information is of some use and help to you Sammy1999, if you require further information on the award of the Cross of Valour or the Number of the Legitymacja of the Army Medal. Then the PISM in London holds those Records if you visit their web site, everything is explained they charge £25.00p payment up front for 2 hours research of their records with no guarantee of finding anything or the alternative would be to book a seat in the reading room in the Institute and do the research your self, I will leave that up to you to decide.

Once again Sammy1999 welcome to the Forum

Best wishes

Andrzej

p.s. my bill is in the post.

[Sammy1999]

Hello, my cross is number 12’655 so the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. Could someone assist in finding me the recipient as I’ve come to a dead end... surely there’s a way of finding out somehow?

[Sammy1999]

Sorry for some reason I posted again I will be sure to get photographs thank you!

[Sammy1999]

Sadly I only have 4 medals. Mounted. The Monte Cassino Cross, 39-45 Star, Italy Star and War Medal unsure where the others have disappeared to

[Sammy1999]

Thank you for the information it is much appreciate it really is

[Elzunia GO]

yes, he was given a new id which was found on his body 1921-118-III. Killed in action at Montecassino 17th May 1944 only 22 years old.
I would really like to know where and when he joined the Polish army.

[Elzunia GO]

Back to Jan Gierka
yes, he was given a new id which was found on his body 1921-118-III. Killed in action at Montecassino 17th May 1944 only 22 years old.
I would really like to know where and when he joined the Polish army

[Bull Moose]

Is it possible to identify the soldier who was awarded these medals? The MCC is numbered 24794 and the badge is numbered 185.

[Wisnia]

Hello Bull Moose

MCC number 24794 was awarded to
Soldier first letter surname L-M;unit:5 baon ckm;5 KDP.Soldier served in Polish Army pre 1939.Was awarded medal for Campain 1939.Cross PSZ in the West campain:Monte Cassino-Ankona-Bolonia.4x british awards.Regimental badge numbered...?

Only DEAR Andrzejku can write more...

Best wishes

Artur

[andrzejku98]

Hello Bull Moose,

Many thanks for your post, may I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, with regards to the Recipient of the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 24794 at the time of the award the recipients details were as follows :

Rank : Starszy Strzelec (Lance Corporal)

Surname : Maszara

Christian Name : Józef

Fathers Name : Józef

Date of Birth : 1909

Army Number : (also found on His ID Tags) : 1909-175-III

Unit : 5BCKM (5th Kresowa Heavy Machine Gun Battalion)

Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 24794

During the September 1939 Campaign he was either a Regular or Reservist, who with his unit crossed the Polish Border on the 19th September into Lithuania and what they thought was internment or transfer to France to carry on the fight. Instead they were handed over to the soviets and transported to Siberia, Józef Maszara joined the Anders Army at Tatiszczewo on the 3rd September 1941.

I hope you do not mind me rotating your photographs for you for all to view






Best wishes and welcome to the Forum


Andrzej